Saffron- do you really notice if you leave it out?

[carolinecordery]

I did buy an expensive pot of saffron recently for some new recipes but do you actually notice that it's in a dish / notice when it's been left out?

I noticed it's absence in a risotto I made. The little red bits looked lovely on the yellow rice. It still tasted nice.

I haven't replaced it yet.

I've never splashed out on saffron, so I don't know how it compares, but when a recipe calls for saffron I use a pinch of turmeric and it's always tasted good. I have a feeling I saw Delia say it was a good substitute once, but I could have made that up!

It's quite distinctive so I would definitely notice but that doesn't mean the recipe won't still be nice if it's got other nice things in it.

I really do notice that it's there, but that's probably because I really dislike the flavour. I'd have thought that InnerSeas cooking tastes good because there's no saffron in it.

I think it's quite subtle but adds flavour. I wouldn't not do a recipe because I didn't have any.

I think it makes a difference. Most recipes only call for a pinch so your expensive pot is going to last years....

Yes, I'm addicted to that smell.

I really love saffron so yes, I would notice if it were left out.

I got some saffron from the market years ago. A teeny tiny pot (for less than £5) and I've still got plenty left. Don't buy it in the supermarket!

You can grow your own!
you can buy bulbs and try.

Market's can be tricky, make sure you get saffron and not dried calendula.
I'd rather buy from a reputable supermarket - mind you, are there any left? - and it lasts a long time anyway.

I've used it in a recipe for bread rolls. They're particularly good with fish. Without the saffron, it would be just a plain bread roll with 3 or 4 cumin seeds on top. The saffron really makes a massive difference.

I get mine from local asian shops in South East London (the sort that sell large bags of spices and big sacks of rice etc) and its much cheaper than supermarkets. It comes in transparant plastic boxes about the size of a cigarette packet.